Bibi Ka Maqbara

Overview

Bibi Ka Maqbara in Aurangabad is a tomb built in the 1660s by Prince Azam Shah in memory of his mother, Dilras Banu Begum, the wife of the emperor Aurangzeb. It was modelled on the Taj Mahal and is often called the Taj of the Deccan.

It follows the Taj's plan of a domed tomb with four minarets in a charbagh garden, though on a smaller scale and with marble used mainly on the dome and the lower parts, the rest being plastered.

What to look for

• The domed tomb and its four minarets
• The garden with its water channels and pools
• The carved marble screen around the tomb
• The contrast with the Taj Mahal in detail and proportion

Visiting tips

• It is a short stop, about an hour, and is easy to combine with the Aurangabad caves and Daulatabad Fort.
• The tomb is often best in the softer light of morning or late afternoon.
• Dress modestly: it is a memorial.

Why visit with a private guide

A private guide shows you where to stand, when to arrive and what most visitors miss at Bibi Ka Maqbara, and fits the visit around the rest of your day.

More photographs

Nearby

Ajanta Caves Daulatabad Fort Kailasa Temple Aurangzeb Tomb Lonar Crater Daitya Sudan Temple